Daimonji

Gozan no Okuribi (五山送り火), more commonly known as Daimonji (大文字), is one of the iconic festivals of Kyoto, Japan. It is the culmination of the O-Bon festival on August 16th, in which five giant bonfires are lit on mountains surrounding the city. It signifies the moment when the spirits of deceased family members, who are said to visit during O-Bon, are believed to be returning to the spirit world—thus the name Okuribi (送り火) (roughly, "send-off fire").

Daimonji (大文字), the character meaning "large" or "great:"
-on Daimonji-Yama/Higashi-Yama, Nyoigatake at 8:00PMDue to the location of each character and the height of the buildings & other obstacles, I was only able to enjoy viewing this particular one.Myō/Hō (妙・法), the characters meaning "wondrous dharma" (referring to Buddhist teachings):
-on Matsugasaki, Nishi-Yama/Higashi-Yama at 8:10PM
Funagata (舟形), the shape of a boat:
-on Nishigamo, Funa-Yama at 8:15PM
Hidari Daimonji (左大文字), again, the character meaning "large:"
-on Daihoku-San, Hidaridaimonji-San at 8:15PM
Toriigata (鳥居形), the shape of a torii or shrine gate:
-on Toriimoto, Mandara-San at 8:20PM